ARLINGTON, Texas – Kylian Mbappé experienced firsthand the disappointment of his team, France, as they fell short in their quest for a third consecutive World Cup final. The French striker acknowledged the team’s underwhelming performance in their 2-0 semifinal loss to Spain, highlighting a lack of execution on the pitch.
Despite his own brilliance as one of the tournament’s brightest stars, Mbappé will now shift his focus to the third-place match and the ongoing race for the Golden Boot, where he currently stands alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi with eight goals each.
Recommended Videos
In the semifinal, Mbappé struggled to make an impact, recording the fewest touches of any forward in the first half with just 15. His attempts to influence the game were stymied by a resolute Spanish defense, and perhaps his most notable moment was his protest against a penalty that led to Spain’s first goal.
Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal converted the penalty in the 22nd minute, giving the team a lead they would not relinquish. Mbappé’s best opportunity came in the 67th minute, but a deflected shot went narrowly wide, leaving France trailing by two goals.
Reflecting on the defeat, Mbappé stated, “At the end of the day, you take all the glory when you win. When you don’t win … it’s part of the game. As the captain, I have to take all the responsibility, and I have no problem with that. We wanted to go to the final. We didn’t go.”
The 27-year-old also received a yellow card in the 86th minute after colliding with Spain’s goalkeeper, Unai Simón, as he rushed to intercept a loose ball. This incident underscored the frustration evident in Mbappé’s approach throughout the match.
Mbappé had previously scored in France’s quarterfinal victory over Morocco, where he reached his eighth goal of the tournament. This tally equaled his total from the last World Cup in Qatar, where he also finished as the tournament’s top scorer.
Looking ahead, France will compete in the third-place match against the loser of the other semifinal, while Spain will advance to the final against the winner. “They can punish you at every single moment, so I think the focus in every single minute was key in this game,” remarked Spain midfielder Rodri, praising his team’s defensive effort.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will remain on Mbappé and Messi, both vying for individual accolades while their respective teams aim for glory on the world stage.
___
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
